FILE – The NBA logo is displayed as people pass by the NBA Store in New York City, U.S., October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
The NBA and NBPA announced Thursday that of 558 players tested for COVID-19 since Dec. 16, just two new players returned confirmed positive tests.
That number is down from the previous NBA/NBPA announcement from Dec. 15, when eight new players returned positive tests out of a group of 541 players over a period that started Dec. 2.
A previous round of testing administered Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 saw 48 players return positive tests.
Any player that tested positive is currently isolated until clearance, as per the rules established by the NBA and NBPA in accordance with CDC standards.
The two positive tests could have played a role in the postponement of the Houston Rockets-Oklahoma City Thunder game Wednesday. The league said three Rockets returned positive or inconclusive tests prior to that game, leading to four players being quarantined and the Rockets not having the required eight players available to play the game.
Rockets star James Harden reportedly has not returned a positive test but has been in isolation since early this week after he violated the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols by attending a private, indoor party Monday.